"But what will Cap'n Nemo, Jr., say?" said Gaines.
"Why, you said he'd be glad we went, after we came back and reported," said Speake. "Have ye changed yer mind, Gaines?"
"I've changed my mind a good many times since we set off on this cruise," replied Gaines.
"I don't believe the captain will find any fault with you," said Matt. "I'll do what I can to smooth the thing over."
"It's like you to do that," returned Gaines gratefully. "You were the same with Cassidy, that other time when he came in from the River Izaral, and I remember I thought you were rather too easy on him."
"We all thought that," said Speake. "And I'm free to say that I think Matt's too easy on us."
"That bag with the gold pieces was left down in the torpedo room," went on Clackett.
"It was?" queried Matt, deeply interested.
"Yes. I left it there. I wouldn't have touched it with a ten-foot pole."
"That will pay for a new periscope ball and mast," said Matt, "and for the provisions and gasoline we used up on this trip. Taking it all together, we've had a very successful cruise——"